Human Resources: Harassment Free Work Environment

The University of Portland is committed to maintaining a safe environment free from all forms of verbal, physical, and visual harassment, as well as any violence, threats of violence, or intimidation by an administrator, faculty, staff, student, or visitor (including independent contractors) that impact the University or a member of the University community.

Prohibited behavior can include physical acts, oral or written statements made in any medium (e.g. face to face, via regular or electronic mail, or via telephone), gestures and expressions, or behaviors such as stalking. All employees of the University are asked to be sensitive to these issues and their relationship to the individual rights and dignities of their co-workers. The University does not condone, nor will it tolerate, any form of sexual harassment as it undermines the University’s mission of teaching, faith, and service. Federal law and University standards of excellence demand that employees and students MUST be provided with an environment free from any harassment based upon their race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origins, or handicaps.

Violations of this policy will be treated seriously and with prompt action. Any employee found in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Any individual who violates this policy may be removed and barred from University premises. In addition, where necessary, the University may refer incidents of violence, threats of violence, or intimidation to the appropriate prosecuting attorney or other law enforcement agency.

Violence, threats of violence, or intimidation should be reported immediately to Public Safety. On campus, call extension x4444 for emergencies and x7161 for non-emergencies. Off campus callers must dial (503) 943-4444 for emergencies and (503) 943-7161 for non-emergencies.

It is the intent of the University to provide a campus environment free from all forms of verbal, physical, and visual harassment. All employees of the University are asked to be sensitive to these issues and their relationship to the individual rights and dignities of their co-workers.

The University defines sexual harassment as follows:

unwelcomed sexual advance

request for sexual favors

any verbal or physical conduct when submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term of condition of an individual's employment or education

any verbal or physical conduct when submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or education decisions affecting such an individual

any verbal or physical conduct when such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or learning performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or learning environment

Any act of sexual harassment is subject to disciplinary action by the University.

All faculty and staff are required to complete a self-administered online sexual harassment education program. Notification of the program website will be sent to all faculty and staff upon their start dates. For faculty and staff who fail to complete the program within the academic year of initial notice, future salary increases shall be withheld until the program is completed.

Because the potential for abuse or the appearance of abuse when dealing with authority, the University prohibits any member of the University community from engaging in a romantic and/or sexual relationship with any other member of the University community whom that person supervises in any way. Exceptions to this prohibition will be considered on a limited, case-by-case basis by the Office of the Provost, or by the Director of Human Resources who will bring the issue to the attention of the appropriate Officer(s) of the University.

Procedures for Sexual Harassment Policy Enforcement begin with complaints. Complaints of sexual harassment should be brought to the Director of Human Resources or any of the University Officers.

The procedures for enforcement of the University's sexual harassment policy are for all complaints except for those of a student brought against another student, in which case the process outlined in the Student Handbook under the heading "University Policies and Community Standards" shall supersede the policies above.